IT is just after 11am Sunday morning. The Sunday Footy Show is on the telly, just like any other Sunday. And just like any other Sunday, Phil Gould gets on his soap box and denounces the salary cap. Despite his protestations, the salary cap works. This year the competition is more even than it has ever been, so much so that only 6 points separates first from ninth.

EARLIER this year, the NRL launched its advertising campaign that reworked a classic Hoodoo Gurus hit to become a theme song for the game. The response from this advertising seems to have been positive but is this enough to help rugby league reclaim lost ground and conquer new territory? Could the NRL look outside the square and try new ways to advertise? The answer to the latter is most definitely, yes. Below are some ideas that could be attempted.

ST Helens have welcomed Willie Talau to Knowsley Road, with the former Canterbury Bulldogs centre arriving in the UK on Thursday.
Talau was released by the Bulldogs earlier this week to link up with Saints earlier than initially planned, having signed a three-year contract which would have begun in 2004.

ST George Illawarra halfback Brett Firman will book himself in for his second shoulder reconstruction following the Dragons' last match of the season, ending his remote chances of earning a spot on the upcoming Kangaroo tour.